Diesis Network is one of the widest networks supporting the development of the social economy, social entrepreneurship, alternative business models and social innovation.
Discover our 2023 Annual Report
Our membership comprises 60+ national federations and support organisations representing over 100,000 entities and 1.3 million jobs.
We work as an ecosystem for ecosystems to generate and amplify impact:
Enhancing local communities
We consider inclusiveness, sustainability and the development of local communities as pivotal elements in revitalising rural areas and local communities.
In 2023, Diesis facilitated three peer reviews, exploring the innovative link between social economy clusters and the forward-thinking principles of the New European Bauhaus to propel innovation and advance in regeneration.
Diesis builds bridges by taking part in events and working groups such as the RISE Regional Forum in Skopje, and participating in the Social Economy Working Group of the Rural Pact Community Platform and the EU CAP Network thematic group on nurturing skills for a thriving and sustainable agricultural sector.
In July 2023, Diesis introduced the Storydoers training programme, aimed at enhancing the digital storydoing abilities of young entrepreneurs to advocate sustainable local tourism practices.
A capacity-building programme for trainers to empower women in rural communities by cultivating green social entrepreneurship was also implemented in Romania, Cyprus, Slovenia and Serbia with the support our local partners.
Empowering individuals
We collaborate with various bodies to harness the power of the social economy, effectively empowering and integrating individuals, particularly those who are marginalised or left behind.
Job crafting and job carving represent effective models for including people with disabilities.
Diesis coordinated a one-week thematic study visit in Brussels and released policy recommendations concerning cooperative business models for social inclusion in rural areas and social enterprenership in tourism.
Social economy actors and enterprises play a crucial role in aiding migrants to integrate into their new communities.
Diesis continued to support this process in 2023 by exploring the social economy's contribution to peaceful societies.
Grassroots organisations need to enhance their knowledge and skills to better support the cultural, social and economic integration of migrants.
In 2023, Diesis co-created three training courses for educators and third country nationals on Social Entrepreneurship, Creative and Cultural Industries and ICT sector.
As a member of the Rural NEET Youth Network, which focuses on addressing the risk of exclusion among young people, Diesis participated in the Azores ‘23 Conference which addressed challenges related to the social inclusion of NEETs.
GREENING THE ECOSYSTEM
Implementing a participative approach to the green transition, engaging communities across sectors and stakeholders.
How does Diesis contribute to advancing responsible consumption and production?
Offering mentoring and coaching programmes
Developing communities of practice
Pioneering education pathways
All the above
Diesis offers mentorship and coaching programmes aimed at reducing environmental footprints, while supporting financial incentives and regulations for green and circular social economy models.
Diesis is actively involved in establishing communities of practice that connect citizens with key territorial stakeholders promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Diesis continues to innovate education pathways to cultivate new professional and entrepreneurial profiles dedicated to combating climate change and environmental degradation, particularly within the food industry.
Boosting competitiveness
We advocate for the social economy as a pivotal player with significant potential to meet the growing demand from consumers and investors for ethical, environmental, and socially conscious products.
Building the capacities of support organisations to engage aspiring young eco-social entrepreneurs and develop their soft, entrepreneurial and green skills through gamification.
Discover BC4ESE methodology
Gathering experts and professionals to discuss the intersection of digital technology with the social and solidarity economy.
Find out more on DDD 2023
Strengthening the social economy workforce by addressing skills mismatches and providing upskilling and reskilling.
Look at baSE analysis
Reinforcing B2B collaborations between social enterprises and mainstream business to improve the market through greener and more circular value chains.
Read B2B Good practice report
Increasing public buyers’ awareness and strengthening the capacity of social economy enterprises to participate in public procurement processes.
learn more
Supporting members with feasibility studies, organising policy-level events, networking activities for reinforcing the national ecosystem
Look at feasibility study in Lithuania
Promoting the European Alliance for Gender Safety at Work to create a more inclusive, attractive, and equitable culture at work.
Join the Alliance
Designing concrete tools such as training on the prevention and elimination of Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence and Mobbing at work.
Access all training courses
Creating spaces for dialogue between enterprises and women based on the principles of interculturalism and social inclusion.
look at RIDE Crowd Map
SUPPORTING SOCIAL DIALOGUE
Working for increased recognition for the social economy as an employer and a labour market actor.
Diesis contributes to establishing a better understanding of the representation and participation of the social economy in the social dialogue and industrial relations systems mapping social economy players in social dialogue
Shaping Policies
2023 has been a historic year for the recognition of the social economy at international level.
The Commission launched a call for pledges to social economy stakeholders.
Diesis committed itself to take concrete actions to support the implementation of the Transition Pathway.
The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution "Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development".
Diesis attended the international GSEF Conference in Dakar which brought together SSE experts and practitioners from all over the world to share ideas to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
The European Commission proposed recommendations to boost Social Economy and launched the EU Social Economy Gateway.
The Swedish Presidency of the European Council organised the European Social Economy Conference in Gothenburg.
Diesis was invited to the High-Level Rural Policy Forum - Shaping the Future of Rural Areas in Siguënza, organised by the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission with the Rural Pact Support Office.
As an observer of The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy, Diesis was invited to take part in the 4th Technical Symposium which brought together global policy-makers, practitioners, and researchers in Montreal.
A Diesis delegation from the EU and the Western Balkans members was invited to the Union for the Mediterranean Social Economy event in Barcelona.
The Spanish government organised the European Social Economy Conference in San Sebastián during which Diesis was invited to speak in several panel discussions.
CONNECTING WORLDWIDE
Connecting with like-minded organisations and diverse stakeholders worldwide, to foster the social economy response and continue adaptation to the evolving reality.
Colombia and Honduras
Diesis fostered the capacities of SMEs in Colombia and Honduras for their sustainable development to access new markets.
In 2023 two papers on the sustainable development of the agri-food sector and sustainable tourism were produced.
Cameroon
Since December, Diesis has launched a capacity building programme among the EU, Western Balkans, and Sub-Saharan Africa to enhance Cameroonian social economy organisations to empower rural women.
Western Balkans
The SEE West Alliance for Social and Solidarity Economy represents a groundbreaking initiative in the realm of economic collaboration and sustainable development in the Western Balkans.
This platform, composed of nine Diesis’ members, is a vibrant community of practice steering towards a more equitable and socially conscious economy.
GROWING NETWORK
Together with our members we strive to face social challenges by promoting inclusiveness, fairness and sustainability.
currently uniting over
from more than
In 2023 we welcomed six new members:
Discover more about our ecosystem and our staff.
TRANSITION TO 2024
In 2024 we keep advancing in our commitments by implementing initiatives across 14 Transition Pathway action areas such as:
